Family Friendly Hotspots 2012

Wokingham is a market town and civil parish in Berkshire situated 33 miles west of central London, with a population of over 35,000. It is a historic town, and records show that it held its first market in 1219 while by the 17th century it was famed for its bull baiting. Nowadays, it is well-equipped with various facilities from a range of private and state schools to several churches and an art gallery. What’s more, transport to London Waterloo takes little over an hour, making it an ideal home for commuters. This may explain the affluence of the area as the average salary is £33,544. In particular, it is renowned for its excellent schools and education centres, and low level of crime. Consequently, it is a very popular area for young families.

Woodley is the second Berkshire town to make it into the top twenty, and comes second to Wokingham, also in Berkshire. Woodley is a town with civil status which has exploded in size and population within the past eighty years, while also maintaining crime levels well below the national average. Known for its strong aviation history, it is home to the Museum of Berkshire Aviation as well as being a provider of a variety of amenities including four leisure centres. Both of its secondary comprehensive schools have achieved specialist school status, and as a result of this many young families live in the town.

Chulmleigh is a small North Devon town within easy reach of Exeter. It has a population of 3,000 and is known for its quaint beauty. It is rich in history with several cob and thatched buildings lining its streets. Moreover, a particular draw is its renowned secondary school and its outstanding Key Stage 2 results. It is also considered a safe area with very low levels of crime.

Lightwater is a village in Surrey, located only 26 miles south-west of London. Its popularity with holidaymakers and commuters alike makes it unsurprising that its population has grown rapidly within the last sixty years. The village is well equipped and boasts full medical facilities and a veterinary surgeon, a school with very strong Key Stage 2 results, a library, pubs, a post office, a bank and a range of shops, among other amenities. What is more, it also has its own country park with 100 acres of heathland, including a nature trail, leisure centres and visitors centre. All of these facilities explain why it is so popular with young families.

Shebbear in Devon is one of just two towns to feature in the top ten in the second year running, and has moved from sixth place to fifth. It is a rural village with a thriving community of 4,000. It has a very low level of crime, and its residents are generally very well off, earning an average of £53,000 a year, more than double the national average. It offers a range of activities both in its village hall and its local primary school. This primary school is a real focal point of the village due to its excellent results at Key Stage 2.

Oakham is a town within reaching distance of Leicester, and has a population of just under 25,000. It is a site of great historic interest and contains the 14th Century All Saints Church, the remains of the Norman Oakham Castle, and Rutland County Museum. There are a number of young families living in the area, partly explained by its strong reputation for strong education scores.

Bromley Cross is the second of two towns to feature in the top ten two years in a row, although it has shifted from fifth to seventh place. It is a largely residential suburb of Bolton in Lancashire. Its main appeal is its local schools which score well above the average attainment at Key Stage 2, and have very low levels of truancy. Crime is low and property relatively affordable due to lower-than-average house prices coupled with a high average salary of £31,198. The area also has a great local library and children’s centre, where parents with children under five are welcome to join in activities.

Bingham is a market town just nine miles east of Nottingham. Famed for its market and farmer’s market, it also draws residents from local villages with its strong sports facilities, swimming pool, medical and shopping facilities. Its schools are also very highly regarded by locals, thanks largely to its reputation for strong Key Stage 2 results. What’s more, the average value of a two bedroom property is well under the national average, making it a popular choice with young families.

Chinnor is a historic village and civil parish in South Oxfordshire, and one of two Oxfordshire villages to feature in the top twenty. It boasts a thirteenth-century church which is complemented by the thatched cottages in the town. It runs steam trains on some weekends and bank holidays, and holds an annual beer festival. It is one of the safest places in the country with exceptionally low levels of violent crime, robbery and anti-social behaviour.

Yarm is a small town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, located on the banks of the River Tees. In 2007, its High Street was voted the best in Britain, a result of its many Georgian buildings and cobbled parking areas. It also has real rural appeal with its areas of woodland and rivers. Its main draws are its excellent schools and low levels of crime, while its residents are typically affluent with average salaries well over the national average.

Chandlers Ford is a large historic residential area in Hampshire with a population of over 30,000. It has a rich range of primary and secondary schools as well as a refurbished and popular Hitlingbury Recreation Ground. Its schools consistently produce high Key Stage 2 results, while it also has a low level of crime.

Bloxham is a historic village on the edge of the Cotswolds in northern Oxfordshire. Its 14th century tower and 60-metre spire is a local landmark. It is among the oldest location featuring in the top twenty, having appeared in the Domesday survey of 1086. Nowadays, it has a primary and secondary school and a range of amenities, including three pubs, a post office, hairdressers, pharmacy, GP’s and convenience store. With a large number of young families in the area, it is also renowned for its schools with very strong Key Stage 2 results. It has exceptionally low levels of crime, while the average salary is well over the national average.

Malmesbury is a market town in the southern Cotswolds in Wiltshire. It is the oldest borough in England and historically life was focused on the impressive Malmesbury Abbey. Even today with a population of 25,000, it preserves a sense of its historic market town origins with a huge range of independent shops and a regular weekly market. Every year, it hosts a thriving carnival. Property prices are slightly above average but it is a very safe area with low levels of crime, particularly robbery.

Wendover is a market town set at the bottom of the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire. It consists of many hamlets and old, timber-framed houses. Its close proximity to London makes it popular with commuters and young families, which also explains the high price of property in the town.

Bradninch is a small historic town in Devon, listed in the 1086 Domesday Book. Sites of historic interest include the Guildhall, the Castle Pub, the manor house and the parish church. Like the other three locations in Devon featuring in the top twenty, it has a strong reputation for education due to its excellent Key Stage 2 results. It also has a very low level of crime with no robberies reported in the past year.

Topsham is a suburb of Exeter in Devon, and lies on the East side of the River Exe. While the suburb used to be a major seaport, it is now famous for its scenery, architecture and proximity to nature reserves. It boasts a range of facilities, including an open air pool, various community hubs such as art groups, and a museum. Its very low levels of crime and the excellent education opportunities with strong Key Stage 2 results, explain why it is such a desirable place to raise a family.

Twyford is located close to Reading in the heart of the Thames Valley. Its proximity to London makes it popular among commuters which partly explains the high price of property in the town. Twyford itself has a Waitrose, Tesco Express and a range of other shops, as well as a tennis club, bowls club, Badminton and numerous sports pitches. All of these factors explain why it is seen as a prime location for young families and has a huge number of families settling in the area.

Dunnington is a village just four miles east of York. Its historic centre is part of a conservation area while it has a range of amenities and facilities. These include a library, village hall, medical practice, a range of independent shops, and extensive sport facilities. It has a very strong reputation for education excellence with low levels of truancy and strong KS2 scores – with 100% of pupils attaining level 4 or above. Its crime levels are a fifth of the national average.

Guildford is one of the larger county towns featured in the top twenty. Located in Surrey, it has a number of historic buildings, some cobbled streets, and is now a bustling, thriving town centre. There are numerous high street shops, an art gallery, prizewinning leisure centre, ice rink, theatre and cinema, as well as a weekly market and monthly farmers’ market. There is a range of both state and private schools in the area which are known for their strong Key Stage 2 results, while its early years care establishments are also highly rated. Due to all of its amenities, it has very high property prices but remains popular with young families.

Llangammarch Wells is a village in Powys located on the banks of the River Irfon. It is the smallest of the four spa villages. One of its primary draws is its strong education record and the incredibly low level of crime.